Will Manny, Jake Smith taken by Boston Cannons, Colin Fleming headed to the Ohio Machine

Senior Jake Smith was one of the three Minutemen taken during the eight-round, 64-selection Major League Lacrosse draft.

Jan. 11, 2013

PHILADELPHIA -
UMass men's lacrosse seniors Will Manny, Jake Smith and Colin Fleming were selected with the 14th, 30th and 49th picks, respectively, during the 2013 Major League Lacrosse draft held in Philadelphia on Friday evening. Manny and Smith will continue to compete together following the conclusion of their Minutemen careers as both were taken by the Boston Cannons, while Fleming heads to Ohio to join the Machine this summer.

Manny was the first of the group selected during the draft, with Boston nabbing the 2012 Tewaraaton Award finalist in the second round with the 14th pick of the day. Manny is the active points leader on the Minutemen with 164 entering the 2013 campaign on the strength of 91 goals and 73 assists. The 2010 CAA Rookie of the Year and 2012 Player of the Year was the first of eight conference student-athletes taken during the draft.

Boston followed two rounds later with their second selection for UMass, taking Smith 30th overall. Smith, a two-year starter on the Minutemen defense, owns 43 groundballs and 37 caused turnovers in three seasons with the team, helping UMass hold opponents to just 7.19 goals per game during the 2012 campaign.

Fleming rounded out the trio, as the 6-foot-6 senior was selected with the first pick of the seventh round and 49th overall on the evening by the Ohio Machine. Fleming had a breakout season in 2012 to help UMass to its Colonial Athletic Association regular season and tournament championships, tallying 34 points on 26 goals and eight assists. Through 52 contests with the Minutemen, including 15 starts, Fleming has 56 career points on 42 goals and 14 assists. The selection marks the second consecutive season Ohio has drafted a Minuteman, after the Machine picked up 2012 graduate Anthony Biscardi during last season's draft.

Following a set of exhibition contests, UMass kicks off the 2013 regular season with a game at Garber Field against Army at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9. Tickets for all home contests are available through the UMass Ticket Office at 866-UMASS-TIX.